Redding: “We don’t get these conditions often”

A drying track sees Scott Redding produce another top ten result and gain valuable knowledge.

The majority of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan had been dry but come race day the heavens opened. Warm Up gave the MotoGP™ World Championship grid just 20 minutes to learn the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in the wet conditions, helpful for the first half of Sunday’s race. As racing got underway it became apparent that the track would not remain wet and the track began to dry and eat the wet tyres. Scott Redding had opted to fit his Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda with the harder option wet tyre, a decision that saw him struggle at the start but proved hugely beneficial towards the end of the race.

As the other MotoGP™ riders struggled with grip, Redding’s harder option tyre withstood the punishment much better and he begun to cut his way through the field. Tenth would be Redding’s final position, achieving the goal he had set at the start of the weekend. There’s no rest for him or any other MotoGP™ riders as the paddock heads directly to Australia to race at Phillip Island before ending the triple header flyaways in Sepang a week later.

Scott Redding: “I’m happy with the second half of the race, but disappointed with the first half. I decided to go with the harder option rear on the grid, but struggled to get the tyre to work until a few laps into the race. I lost a lot of time in the opening laps, as my pace wasn’t there and people were passing me, which slowed me further. Then, once I’d got some heat into the rear and the front started to come in it was much better and I was able to settle into a good rhythm. We don’t get these conditions often, so it was a learning experience for me and I think today I learnt more than in a normal race. Overall I’m pretty happy we hit our target of a top ten finish here. Now we head to Australia for the next race. It will be different on the factory bike compared to the open bike I rode last year, so we’ll have to see how it goes, but I’m looking forward to getting back to Phillip Island."